Focus and detail
In the heady excitement accompanying England’s journey to the World Cup semi-final, it could be easy to overlook detail in favour of raw emotion.
However, throughout all the exhilaration, Gareth Southgate has ensured his squad have remained consistent in their meticulous approach.
It is a sentiment that is particularly true for 24-year-old goalkeeper Jordan Pickford.
With a string of match-winning saves in the Three Lions’ 2-0 win against Sweden on Saturday, England’s goalkeeper added more evidence to his personal collection of tournament defining moments.
However, it has been Pickford’s more discrete contribution that has underlined his obsessive attention to detail, says FA Lead National Goalkeeping coach, Tim Dittmer.
“During parts of the game against Sweden, as well as in some of the earlier games, Jordan had quite a few quiet periods in terms of number of contacts and amount of action,” said Dittmer, who worked closely with England’s number during his time with the U21 squad.
“So I’ve been really impressed with his ability to stay connected to the game.
“He has continually got his positioning right without the ball and been ready to keep the ball out of the net or defend the space in front of him when those big moments have happened.”
Remaining focused and controlled in games of high pressure is fast becoming a signature of this England squad - characteristics that Pickford is becoming a role model for.
“To remain focused for those long periods when you’re not involved shows a quality of psychological control,” added Dittmer.
“You have to always be checking in with yourself throughout the game to stay connected with the team – whether that means talking or adjusting your positioning.
“Jordan is great at getting himself into a position – physically and psychologically - to be able to make such big saves. It’s really tough to do.”
Positioning and possession
It is not only through important saves that the goalkeeper has contributed significantly to England’s run to the semi-final.
As highlighted in our tactical analysis from the Colombia game, the former Sunderland man has proved integral to the way the Three Lions have played with the ball.
“Jordan’s positioning allows the team to stay spread and dispersed a lot wider. When we have the ball, he becomes what you might call a ‘second-pivot,” explains Dittmer.
“When you play with a back four, you can use the goalkeeper as the pivot to bounce the ball around. When you play with a back three - like we have done in Russia - you already have that pivot there with the central player which has been John Stones.
“As a goalkeeper behind a back three, you need to become the second pivot.
“You have to position yourself between the central defender and one of the two outside centre-halves to offer receiving positions to help the team play out.
“Those positions are quite complicated and complex to take up but he’s done that really well.”
Dittmer explains that Pickford’s performances are the result of an “extremely thoughtful” approach to his role in helping the team build play from the back.
“Jordan’s positioning stops the centre forward from just closing down one option.
“If the forward runs towards Jordan, he’ll play through the pressure. If the attacker presses the central defender, there’s an option to use Jordan and get out round the other side.
“It gives the team more opportunities to play out from the back and retain possession.
“His understanding of positioning has really helped the team stay dispersed, rotate the ball and play forward in a positive way. It’s great to see and it has given confidence to everyone.”
Unique physical attributes
Earlier in the tournament, the size of the England goalkeeper became a talking point. It is an issue Dittmer has dealt with many times before.
“My belief is that size is a mere visual representation of how tall or big somebody is, but how the person plays the game, makes decisions or projects their character is more important,” he explains.
“We don’t mention size in our [England DNA goalkeeping] characteristics.
“Instead we talk about two things that might relate to size which are: the need to have at least one unique physical attribute and the presence to be able to dominate physical scenarios.
“In Jordan’s case he’s got outstanding speed, agility and power that allow him to do that.”
So far Pickford’s many outstanding qualities have ensured he has found clarity amidst the growing emotion. Characteristics that will no doubt be needed again in two days’ time.
